Gate.



PATENTED FEB. 7, 1905.

w. L. NORTHAM.

GATE.

APPLIUATION nun 001'. 22.1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATENTED FEB. 7, 1905.

W. L. NORTHAM.

GATE.

APPLICATION nun oo'r. 22,1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Patented February 7, 1905.

UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIE L. NORTHAM, OF ARLINGTON, INDIANA.

GATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 781,964, dated February7, 1905.

Application filed October 22, 1904. Serial No. 229,524.

To all 'IIIII/O'IH/ 7'15 Duty concern.-

Be it known that I, TVILLIE L. NOR'IIIAM, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Arlington, in the county of Bush and State ofindiana, have invented new and useful Improvements in Gates; and 1 dodeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to theletters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part ofthis specification.

This invention relates to swinging gates, particularly to the largersizes that are adapted to be elevated more or less for avoidingsnow-drifts, for grading live stock, or for other purposes, theinvention having particular reference to various features ofconstruction relating to the framing of the gate proper, to the hangingand elevating devices, and to the latching appliances thereof.

.larticular objects of the invention are to provide strong andlight-weight gates, improved hanging apparatus for the gates, andimproved means for elevating and holding the gates in adjustedpositions; and a further object is to provide inexpensive, durable, andeconomical gates having such improvements which may be easily operated.

\Vith the above and other objects in view the invention consists in agate provided with an improved roller-bearing normally supporting theweight of the gate, a hinge-rod, and rollers or wheels engaging thehinge-rod and together holding the gate in substantially level position,the gate being also provided with a pulley or wheel, a cable, and alever or similar device for adjusting the gate to various positionsabove the normal position thereof.

The invention consists, further, in the novel parts and in the novelcombinations and arrangements of parts, as hereinafter particularlydescribed and claimed.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a gateincluding the hingepost and the latch-post therefor having theimprovements embodied in the construction thereof; Fig. 2, an elevationof the free end of the gate; Fig. 3, a fragmentary side elevationshowing the gate fully elevated; at, an elevation of the hinge-post;Fig. 5, an clevation of the hinge-rod; Fig. 6, an elevation of the hingeend of the gate; Fig. 7, a fragmentary elevation of the latch-post; Fig.8, a top plan of the gate complete, a portion of the top rail beingbroken away; Fig. 9, a fragmentary horizontal section taken a shortdistance above the bottom rail of the gate; Fig. 10, a fragmentaryhorizontal section on the line 1 1 in Fig. 1; Fig. 11, a fragmentaryhorizontal section on the line 2 2 in Fig. 1; Fig. 12, a perspectiveview of the roller-bearing for the gate and its support detached fromthe hinge-post; Fig. 13, a fragmentary side elevation showing the gatepartially elevated; Fig. 1i, a perspective view of one of thegatelatches; Fig. 15, a horizontal section of the latch-post at theplane of the latches; Fig. .16, a fragmentary elevation of thelatch-post and latches, and Fig. 17 a perspective view of the base-platethat supports the latches.

Similar reference characters in the several figures of the drawingsdesignate corresponding parts or features.

In construction any suitable materials may be employed, the hinge-post1/ and the latchpost I) being suitably set in the ground. The post a isprovided with a suitable support A, on which is mounted a roller B andwhich is placed somewhatabove the ground-surface, so as not to beaffected by sand or dust, snow or ice. Above the roller two hingemembers a and (I are attached to the post, and a similar hinge member isattached also to the post below the roller and near the ground. A headedhinge-rodf extends through the hinge members 0 (Z c and may be removedtherefrom when necessary. A cotter r is inserted in a suitable hole inthe lower end of the rod f beneath the member 1/ to prevent accidentalupward movements of the rod. A collar 0 is adjustably secured to the rodf by means of a set-screw /1, the collar being below the rollersupportA. The support A comprises an axle that extends through the post a, anut being applied to the end of the axle against the rear side of thepost. On the axle is a collar la, providing a shoulder against the frontof the post, the roller B operating freely between the collar and asuitable shoulder of the axle. In the support A is a hole Z, in which issecured a hook-bolt m, that binds the rod 7" against the support andprevents rotation of the rod and also affords a lateral supporttherefor.

The latch-post is provided with a pair of latches D and D of identicalform in order to permit the gate to operate in two directions. Thelatches are both mounted on a single base-plate E, which has ears n andn in pairs at its rear side, there being a slot 0 in the plate extendingbetween both pairs of ears. Each latch has an arm p, that is pivoted toa pair of the ears, and the latch also has a projection q, that guides aspring 7', which is seated in the post and presses against the latch,the latter having an operating-handle that bears against the base-plate,resisting the spring.

The gate proper comprises a frame including a main bar F, supporting abottom rail G and a top rail H, to which are attached an end bar I, atrusspost J being attached to the top and bottom rails, and diagonalbraces 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 attached to the main and end bars and the topand bottom rails; also, horizontal wires 11 12 13 are employed in theusual manner. The end bar I is provided with a latchbar K, although theend bar I itself may be adapted to serve the purpose of the bar K.

A semicircular bearing L issecured to the main bar F and extends aboutthe rod f, soas to bear upon the roller-bearing B, riding thereon andcooperating therewith to support the gate when the latter is in motionand also when at rest in its normal lower situation. A pair of plates 8and s are attached to the upper part of the gate-frame and extend beyondthe bar F and the rod f, and a roller M is journaled between the platesand has a groove 14 guiding the roller on the rod f, the latter beingbetween the bar F and the roller. At the lower part of the gate-frame apair of angle-plates t and 2/" are secured thereto and extend downwardlybeyond the end of the bar F, and a roller N is journaled between theplates and has a groove 15 guiding the roller on the rod f, the latterbeing beyond the roller.

A pulley 0, having a groove 16, is attached integrally to the roller N;but the pulley may be otherwise connected to the roller, so that bothmust move together on a common axis. A cable or chain P is attached atone end thereof to the collar 0 and extends under the pulley O to thelever Q, to which it is connected by means of a pin 4;, and the cable isguided to the groove 16 by a guide a, that is attached to the bar F. Thelever Q has an end pivoted to a support R, that is attached to the railG and is arranged at one side of the gate, a similar lever Q beingsecured to the pivoted end of the lever Q and arranged at the oppositeside of the gate. The lever Q is rather a convenience, however, and nota necessity. A movable button S is mounted on the rail G and adapted tobe turned so as to lock either one of the levers Q, or Q. A hook T isconnected loosely to a pin Q0, that is attached to the rail G, and thefree end of the hook is normally supported on a rest in, that is carriedby the rail G, the hook having a laterally-bent finger 2, adapted toengage the lever Q to hold it in an intermediate position. The main barFis provided with guards 3/ y, that are adapted to engage the rod f incase the rollers M and N should become disengaged from the rod; but theguards may in some cases be dispensed with, they normally having nocontact with the rod, butextending about it. i

In practical use when the gate is closed it will be held by the latchesD and D and may be opened in either direction, in or out, aftermanipulating the proper latch to release it. When closing the gate, thelatches operate automatically, as will be apparent, the springs '2'being compressed when the latches are forced; to rock on their pivots,so as to move out of the way of the bar K. Ordinarily the weight of thegate is carried by means of the bearings B and L and is held level andplumb by means of the rollers M and N engaging the rod f and serving ashinging devices. WVhen it is desired to elevate the gate to its maximumheight, the lever Qshould be moved radially from the position shown inFig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 3, resting on the rail G, where itwill be held automatically, but may be locked by the button S. The gatemay be elevated to an intermediate position by connecting the hook T tothe lever Q, as in Fig. 13. When operating the lever Q, the the cablelifts the roller N, and thereby causes the rollers M and N to roll alongthe rod f. When the gate is lowered and the lever Q returned to itsnormal position, as in Fig. l the lever is supported in an obliqueposition by means of the lever Q, resting upon the rail G.

The collar C may be adjusted in its position on the rodf to adjust thelength of the cable P. This isa convenient arrangement; but it isobvious that the end of the cable may be attached to the support A or tothe post a, if desired, and if the bearings B and L are omitted thecable P will support the gate when lowered. It will be understood thatthe latches will operate at all times whether the gate is elevated ornot, the bar K being of proper length for the purpose. When either latchis operated to permit the gate to close, the opposite latch acts as astop for the gate to prevent its passing the proper closed position.

l'laving 1 claim as new is l. A gate including a vertical hinge-rod, apost supporting the hinge-rod, a gate-frame,

a roller supported by the frame in engagement with the hinge-rod andprovided wlth an operating-wheel having the same axis therewith, anoperating device connected with the wheel and controlling the rotativemovements thereof, and a hinging device connected to the frame inengagement with the hinge-rod.

2. A gate including a post, a hinge-rod supported by the post, agate-frame, an operatingwheel mounted on the gate, a roller secured tothe wheel and engaging the hinge-rod, ope rating means mounted on thegate-frame and engaging the wheel, locking devices for the operatingmeans, and a hinging device connected to the gate-frame in engagementwith the hinge-rod.

3. A gate including a post, a hinge-rod supported by means of the post,a gate-frame provided with a pulley having a roller secured thereto inengagement with the hinge-rod, a cable or chain fixed at one end thereofto the gate-support and extending about the pulley, an operating deviceconnected with the pulley, and a hinging device connected to thegate-frame in engagement with the hinge-rod.

at. A gate including a post, an axle secured to the post and having aroller mounted thereon, a hinge-rod supported by the post, a gatel'rameprovided with a semicircular bearing adapted to cooperate with theaxle-roller, hinging devices carried by the gate-frame and co peratingwith the hinge rod, a pulley mounted on the gate-frame, a roller securedto the pulley in engagement with the hingerod, and a cable or chaincooperating with the pulley to disconnect and connect the bearing withthe axle-roller.

A gate including a post, a hinge-rod mounted on the post, a gate-frame,a roller mounted on the upper part of the gate-frame and engaging thehinge-rod, a roller mounted on the lower part of the gate-frame andengaging the hinge-rod and having a pulley secured thereto, a cable orchain fixed at one end thereof to the gate-support and extending aboutthe pulley, and a lever pivoted at one end thereof to the bottom of thegate-frame and connected to the cable or chain.

6. In a gate, a hinge-post having upper and lower hinge members, asupport attached to the post intermediately of the lhinge members,abearing-roller mounted on the support, a hinge-rod extending through thehinge members and secured to the support, a gate-frame, hinging devicescarried by the gate-frame and cot'iperating with the hinge-rod, and asemicircular bearing secured to the frame and cooperating with thebearing-roller.

T. In a gate, the combination with a hingethus described the invention,what post and a hinge-rod mounted thereon, of a gate-frame, hingingdevices connected to the gate-frame and movably engaging the hinge rod,a pulley mounted on the gate-frame, a roller secured to the pulley andengaging the hinge-rod, a lever mounted on the gate-frame, a cable orchain engaging the pulley and connected at one end thereof to the lever,and an anchor device mounted on the gate-support andadjustablysupporting the opposite end of the cable or chain.

8. In a gate, the combination with a hingepost and a hinge-rod mountedthereon, of a gate-frame, hinging devices mounted on the gate-frame andmovably engaging the hingerod, a pulley mounted on the gate-frame, acollar secured adjustably to the hinge-rod, a cable secured at one endthereof to the collar and engaging the pulley, and a lever pivoted atone end thereof to the gate-frame and connected to the other end of thecable.

9. in a gate, the combination with a hingepost and a hinge-rod mountedthereon, of a gate-frame, a grooved roller mounted on the upper part ofthe frame and engaging the farther side of the hinge-rod, a groovedroller mounted on the lower part of the frame and engaging thenearerside of the hinge-rod and provided with an operating-pulley, abearing-roller mounted on thehinge-post, a curved bearing attached tothe gate-frame and adapted to cooperate with the bearing-roller, and apower device mounted on the gate-frame and cooperating with the pulleyor wheel to raise or lower the gate-frame.

10. In a gate, the combination with a post and a hinge-rod mountedthereon, and with a gate-frame, of a support secured to the post andalso to the hinge-rod, a bearing-roller mounted on the support, asemicircular bearing membersecured to the gate-frame extending about thehinge-rod and engaging the bearing-roller, and guides carried by thegateframe and cooperating with the hinge-rod.

11. In a gate, the combination with a post and a hinge-rod mountedthereon, and with a gate-frame, of a bracket secured to the gateframeand projecting beyond the bottom thereof, a roller mounted in thebracket below the gate-frame and engaging the hinge-rod, a pulleyconnected to the roller, a hinge device attached to the top of thegate-frame in connection with the hinge-rod, a lever pivoted on thebottom of the gate-frame, a cable engaging the pulley and having one endthereof connected to the lever, and a support for the opposite end ofthe cable.

12. In a gate, the combination with a post and a hinge-rod mountedthereon, and with a gate-frame having a lower rail, of hinging devicesconnected to the gate-frame and engaging the hinge-rod, a pulley mountedon the gate-frame, a cable supported at one end thereof by thegate-support and extending about and adapted to connect with the leverand hold the pulley, a lever pivoted at an end thereof the same in anintermediate position. IO on the lower rail of the gate-frame and nor-In testimony whereofI afiiX my signature in Inally extending upwardlyobliquely toward presence of two witnesses. v the hinged end of thegate-frame and adapted WILLIE L. NORTHAM to swing to the lower rail,means connecting \Vitnesses:

the free end of the cable to the lever, and a WM. H. PAYNE, hook mountedon the lower part of the gate E. T. SILVIUS.

